Price
£891
Nights
Six
Age range
16-25
Start port
Ipswich
End port
Portsmouth
DofE
Yes
RYA
Competent Crew
Voyage code
CF739
Bursary
Available
Voyage highlights
Want to take your sailing skills to the next level?
Then join us on this six-night Voyage of Empowerment along the east coast with Tall Ships Youth Trust.
Starting in Ipswich and finishing in Portsmouth, experienced voyage crew can rise to the challenge of sailing on board one of our iconic 72ft Challenger yachts, while considering your aspirations, setting goals for the future and above all, having fun!
Empowerment Voyages are designed as the second stage of TSYT’s three-voyage programme. Building on the entry-level skills learnt on an Exploration Voyage, they support young people to develop resilience, a positive attitude towards challenge, independence, mental toughness, decision-making ability, self-reliance, and an individual understanding of how they function within a team.
The aim is to facilitate the development of tangible life and employability skills for young people as they progress towards adulthood.
For this reason, Empowerment Voyages may not be suitable for young people with no previous voyaging or outdoor learning experience.
Sailing alongside other young people from diverse backgrounds, you’ll learn from each other’s experiences, develop transferrable skills, deepen your understanding of your own strengths and areas for development and build resilience, while having fun and creating lifelong memories.
You can also use this voyage to complete the residential section of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, and you’ll have the opportunity to achieve your RYA Competent Crew certificate.
After departing Ipswich, likely stop overs include Dover and Ramsgate on the southeast coast.
As you begin your journey along the south coast, there may be the opportunity to cross the Channel and visit Dieppe or Boulogne Sur Mer.
You would need to present a valid passport for this. If you don’t have a passport, please get in touch before booking.
Before arriving in Portsmouth, you’ll sail through and potentially anchor in the Solent – one of the world’s most famous sailing waters!
Be sure to pack your camera as you may spot dolphins, seals and fin whales throughout your journey.
Life skills. Increased confidence. Independence. Resilience. Decision making. Lasting memories.
Throughout the week, you’ll experience steering the yacht, night sailing, offshore sailing, sail handling and ropework, as well as learning how to keep safe on board.
We divide the crew into two teams (watches) – traditionally, known as Port watch and Starboard watch. In your watches, you’ll take it in turns to be involved in all aspects of sailing the Challenger from deck duties to cooking and cleaning.
This voyage is a great opportunity to escape from it all, with plenty of time for quiet reflection and challenges to build your confidence and widen your sailing experience.
Each crew member will receive a personal assessment covering their leadership, teamwork and communication skills — a great addition to your CV!
The Skipper will determine the final route depending the on weather and other variables.
All meals on board are included.
Our Empowerment Voyages have clear learning objectives and outcomes and can qualify for an authorised absence from school/college. Please get in touch for more details on how we can support your application.
If you share our values and are keen to do more, you may be able to support our vital work further by joining the TSYT Volunteer Crew.
Your Skipper can recommend you for our Watch Leader training programme if they feel you have the skills and attributes that we’re looking for.
During this voyage, you can work towards achieving your RYA Competent Crew certificate.
The syllabus includes:
- Sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Fire precautions and fighting
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Manners and customs
- Rules of the ‘road’ (at sea)
- Dinghies
The cost of your RYA Competent Crew certificate is included in the price.
RYA logbooks are available for purchase on board at a cost of £6 (Skippers are only able to take cash for this).
All voyages of four nights or more qualify for the residential section of the DofE Gold Award.
Please let our Reservations Team know before sailing if you want to use the voyage for this.
